The Africa Health Collaborative’s (AHC) Annual Convenings bring together its network to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and explore ways to transform Africa’s health systems. This October in Nairobi, AHC is taking this further by integrating mental health and well-being into the convening experience through Mental Health for All, an initiative developed by the Young Leaders Table Committee (YLTC).
Conferences can be energizing, but they can also be demanding. Travel, packed schedules, back-to-back sessions, and continuous professional and social interaction can take their toll. Mental Health for All recognizes these pressures and creates intentional opportunities for participants to pause, reset and connect in different ways.
In Nairobi, from 18 – 23 October, the idea will take several practical forms.
A Quiet Space
A dedicated quiet space will allow participants to step away from the programme’s intensity to reflect, meditate, or simply pause. A wellness corner will offer brief shoulder or neck massages, while short grounding moments to reset attention will be incorporated at the start of selected sessions.
Art Therapy
Outside the formal sessions, participants will be invited to contribute to a collaborative mural designed by a young African artist. The artwork will gradually take shape as participants add color throughout the convening.
Movement
The “Stroll and Connect” walks are planned as a way of bringing together movement, informal networking and time outdoors.
As part of the main convening schedule, a full afternoon will be dedicated to outdoor activities to foster team bonding, networking and good health.
Designing well-being into the convening matters because well-being should never be an afterthought or an add-on to the work we do. By intentionally creating space for rest, reflection, connection, and self-care, we recognize that people need to feel supported in order to fully participate, collaborate, innovate, and lead.
– John Nyagaka, Chair, 2025-2026 AHC Young Leaders Table (YLT)
From Participation to Influence
Young leaders have played a direct role in shaping the initiative and the wider convening experience. At Ubuntu Rising in September 2026, more than 80 young people developed nine recommendations around leadership, innovation, and employment. A recurring message was the need to move beyond counting youth participation and create institutional environments where young people can influence decisions and develop solutions.
Mental Health for All is a practical example of how young people can help shape institutional priorities and translate their ideas into action. Through this initiative, young leaders are helping create an experience that considers not only the ideas exchanged but also the well-being of the people driving change, their leadership also demonstrates how young people can influence a multicultural and multigenerational gathering.
Registration is open for the Africa Health Collaborative Annual Convening 2026. Join us in Nairobi or participate virtually to contribute to the conversation about youth leadership and Africa’s health future.
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